No abstract

Solid state components were used to construct a miniature bite force recorder suitable for registrations in large study groups. A semiconductor was chosen as the sensory unit. The complete recording system included a power supply, the bite force recorder, a chart recorder and a millivoltmeter. Laboratory calibration tests were performed to screen the limitations of the recorder. Series of loads were applied in the range from 10 to 1000 N. Eight females and eight males, 20 to 25 years old, were asked to produce a succession of maximum bites at three second intervals for as long as possible. The bite force recorder was positioned between the first molars on the left side. The laboratory tests showed that loads in the range from 10 to 1000 N were recorded with an error less than four percent. In the clinical tests, the mean maximal bite force was 500 N ranging from 330 to 680 N. The number of maximum bites varied from 5 to 27. No statistically significant differences were observed between the sexes as regards the maximal bite force and the number of bites.

Studies of the degradation processes, types of tests, and measurements and analyses of substances leaching out from resin-based composite materials and glass-ionomer cements are reviewed. For both types of materials, the initial release rate rapidly decreases to a low, but nearly constant, level. For composites, various types of degradation processes have been demonstrated. Elements from filler particles and degradation products from the resin (e.g., formaldehyde) leak out. Many substances are not properly identified. It is, however, difficult for in vitro and in vivo degradation to be compared. For glass ionomers, a total disintegration of a surface layer is observed, together with a slow release of elements from the bulk. Of the elements released, fluoride is the most interesting. Marked differences have been shown between in vitro and in vivo solubility tests.

Two series of brass cones and two series of dentine posts with varying surface roughness were produced. Maximum roughness value and arithmetical mean roughness were recorded for each cone. Brass crowns were cemented either with zinc phosphate cement (De Trey's zinc Cenment Improved) or with polycarboxylate cement (Durelon). A tensile stress was applied until the crown and the cone separated. The retentive force in relation to retention area was measured. The results showed that the retentive ability of both cements increased with increasing surface roughness. The increase in retention was greater for brass than for dentine. Differences were also found between the two cements; on smooth surfaces the zinc phosphate cement had a lower retentive ability than the polycarboxylate cement, but on rough surfaces the opposite relationship was observed.